Legal Resources
Ohio Legal Rights Service
OLRS is a state agency for protection and advocacy for children and adults with disabilities. The organization provides information about how to be a legal advocate for you child. They also offer advocacy services ranging from referral to negotiation to legal assistance. Their website also has a resource database listing services from education to transportation.
50 W. Broad Street, Suite 1400
Columbus, OH 43215
Contact: 614-466-7264 or 1-800-282-9181
Website
Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council
A planning and advocacy body committed to community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.
8 East Long St. – 12th floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Contact: 614-466-5205 or 1-800-766-7426
Website
Federal Citizen Information Center
On this website there is a good explanation of the basics of trusts, estate planning, and how to prepare legally and financially for your child’s future.
Website
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
The legal aid society provides free or low-cost legal support to low-income clients in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties. They can refer you to your local Legal Aid Society if you live in another county.
Contact: 216-687-1900
Website
Special Education Services
This is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing legal assistance to urban and low-income families. Special Ed. Services maintains a Community Parent Resource Center with materials on understanding special education law and how to advocate for your child in the schools. They sponsor periodic seminars and conferences on these topics which are open to all parents of children with special needs. Free legal services including special education disputes and estate planning are available to families that meet income guidelines.
Call 216-289-4332 or email Aimee Gilman.
Local Law Firms
These local law offices were recommended by Special Ed. Services as firms that have experience with special education law and estate planning for children with special healthcare needs:
1300 E. 9th St. Suite 1020
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-861-0360
4070 Mayfield Rd.
South Euclid, OH 44121
216-291-1300
MetDESK – MetLife Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids
MetLife offers help planning for the future for your child with special needs. Their website offers many resources including a special needs calculator to guide you through the process of estimating your dependent’s potential income from wages, government benefits or other sources as well as estimating future expenses for housing transportation and day-to-day living in the quality lifestyle you undoubtedly want for them. They offer workshops and free personalized assistance. MetDESK specialists do not charge fees for intake meetings to help families get answers, find resources and learn how to plan for the future.
Contact: 1-877-MET-DESK (1-877-638-3375)
Respite Care/ Day Care
Website
Before you begin searching for child care, visit the Child Care Aware website for a pdf file of a brochure on how to choose quality childcare for your child with special healthcare needs. http://childcareaware.org/en/tools/pubs/pdf/102e.pdf
“Respite" refers to short term, temporary care provided to people with disabilities in order that their families can take a break from the daily routine of caregiving. Unlike child care, respite services may sometimes involve overnight care for an extended period of time. Respite care is important to give families time to relieve the stress experienced in caring for a child with a disability.
Many organizations in northeast Ohio provide respite care, including Easter Seals, Catholic Charities, the Hattie Larlham center, and many more. The best way to coordinate respite care is to call your county board of MR/DD, or to work through your school district. United Way first call for help (just dial 2-1-1 from any land line phone) also has a list of respite providers. Your county board will often have funds available to pay for respite care.
United Way First Call for Help
Dial 2-1-1 from any land line phone, or call:
Contact: 216-436-2000 in Cuyahoga or 440-285-3194 in Geauga counties
Website
County Board of MR/DD
Cuyahoga County:
1275 Lakeside Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
(216) 241-8230
Website
Lorain County:
1091 Infirmary Road
Elyria, Ohio 44035
(440) 329-3734
Website
Geauga County:
8200 Cedar Road
Chesterland, Ohio 44026
(440) 729-9406
Ashtabula County:
2505 South Ridge Road East
Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
(440) 224-2155 or 224-2156
Summit County:
89 East Howe Road
Tallmadge, Ohio 44278-1099
(330) 634-8000
Website
Lake County:
8121 Deepwood Blvd.
Mentor, Ohio 44060
(440) 350-5100
Website
Medina County:
4691 Windfall Road
Medina, Ohio 44256-8705
(330) 725-7751
Website
For other counties click here